Middle Eastern Adventures

www.middleeasternadventures.com

Why You’ll Love It

Includes roundtrip international flight from New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco to Cairo
Spacious, private tour buses with business class seats and complimentary WiFi
Optional add-on adventure packages including Red Sea snorkeling and diving or Eastern Desert 4-wheeling outing
Amazing, flexible, and energetic USA-based tour company

Even in the time of the ancient Greeks, Egypt’s wonders shocked and awed the collective imagination. Long story short: it doesn’t get more bucket list than the Great Pyramid at Giza. And who better to help you scratch this item, and many others, off your list than the expert American guides at Middle Eastern Adventures? Wanderlust is calling; we suggest you answer.

Enjoy the labors of the ancients in comfort and luxury that are decidedly modern: private tour buses with WiFi, 5-star hotels and resorts. Yes, please. Your personal American guides are experts in the region, so you know you’re getting an insider’s perspective.

So why are you still reading? It’s time to set your adventure in motion.

– Erika, Bloomspot Staff Writer

Middle Eastern Adventures
info@middleeasternadventures.com
www.middleeasternadventures.com

Reviews

What people are saying

5 stars and 5 reviews on Yelp

“Beyond all (and it is a lot) that is included in this package, MEA helps you find other amazing opportunities to truly make this trip a once in a lifetime experience.”

Yelp Reviewer Rose B., Philadelphia, PA 8/2/12
Read more on Yelp

“Deciding to go to Egypt with Middle Eastern Adventures (MEA) may have been the single best decision I’ve made in my life … I honestly felt like they made my experience in a new country way more rich and enlightening”

Yelp Reviewer Nameeta K., New York, NY 6/2/12
Read more on Yelp

“You’re well taken care of from beginning to end from your airfare, to your hotels, to transportation in the country, to entry fees, even including most of your meals.”

Yelp Reviewer Shannon W., Los Angeles, CA 6/3/12
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“Took a May 2012 trip to Egypt with MEA and the tour guides are a truly dynamic, professional and genuinely engaging team. The trip didn’t have one dull moment, the air travel and hotel accommodations were excellent.”

Yelp Reviewer Crystal D., Alexandria, VA 6/6/12
Read more on Yelp

$2,877 for 7-day Highlights of Egypt tour ($4,795 value)

Includes round-trip international flight from New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles to Cairo, transit to/from airport in Cairo, all 5-star accommodations in hotels and resorts, all scheduled in-country transportation, all scheduled site and museum entrance fees, daily breakfast, all lunches and dinners while touring or in transit, experienced American tour leaders and English-speaking local guides, and trip-interruption, delayed-baggage, and emergency medical insurance coverage…

Valid for the following tours: October 20–27, 2012 (women’s trip), and November 24–December 1, 2012 (open trip), December 29, 2012–January 5, 2013 (open trip), January 5–12, 2013 (open trip), and February 16–23, 2013 (open trip); subject to availability.
Rate is per person but based on double occupancy; $450 single-occupancy fee for solo travelers will be collected upon booking.
Taxes included.
Must redeem in one visit; no cash or credit back.
Cannot be used with existing reservations or other offers.
Standard terms and conditions of travel apply to Bloomspot offer; see terms and conditions online.
For inquiries contact Middle Eastern Adventures at (202) 834-7659 or info@middleeasternadventures.com.
Refunds allowed until 11:59PM PST on September 15, 2012. All sales are final after this date.

Featured Itinerary

Pre-arrival

Fly from USA (New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles) to Cairo, Egypt

Day 1: Arrival and Nile Dinner Cruise

Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where you are met and greeted by the friendly American staff from Middle Eastern Adventures and whisked downtown to the ultra-luxurious, 5-star Kempinski Hotel overlooking the Nile River. After having a chance to unpack and unwind a little, you will join MEA staff and your fellow tour-goers for relaxing Nile dinner cruise. A full buffet meal will be served along with a show of traditional Arab entertainment as you cruise along the smooth river and take in nighttime views of Cairo’s glittering skyline.

Day 2: Pyramids and Egyptian Museum

After a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel, we will travel together out to the Giza plateau where we will visit the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, including the only remaining wonder of the ancient world – the Great Pyramid. Here you will also be able to ride camels over the rolling desert dunes and even have the chance to climb inside of one of the pyramids. After a relaxing lunch, we will return to downtown Cairo where we will explore the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities, including the fabulous treasures of King Tut and other notable Pharaohs, in the world-famous Egyptian Museum.

Day 3: Travel to El Gouna on the Red Sea

Following another delicious breakfast at the Kempinski’s 5-star restaurant, we will set off over land for the Red Sea and the upscale seaside town of El Gouna. You’ll check into the stunningly beautiful and eco-friendly Sheraton Miramar Resort and have the evening free to relax and enjoy this breath-taking corner of paradise along the Red Sea.

Day 4: Full Day at the Red Sea Resort

After enjoying a filling and diverse breakfast buffet at the Sheraton’s main restaurant overlooking the lagoons and the ocean, you’ll have an entire day free to lounge around the resort and/or explore the adjacent seaside town of El Gouna, where unique shops and cafes line a marina filled with the luxurious yachts of the region’s elite. In the more traditional downtown area you can find more restaurants and shops that allow you to browse and explore without being hassled or pressured in the least. There will also be opportunities to go snorkeling or scuba diving out on the Red Sea or four-wheeling out in the nearby Eastern Desert.

Day 5: Luxor, Valley of the Kings, and Karnak

We’ll wake up early to travel over land to the quiet southern Egyptian town of Luxor, the site of one of Egypt’s renowned ancient capitals. Here we’ll visit the imposing mortuary temple of the powerful and storied Queen Hapshetsut, explore the elaborately decorated underground tombs of the Pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings, and experience the grandeur and majesty of the expansive Temple of Karnak. We’ll then head to Luxor’s airport and board a short one-hour flight back to Cairo, where we’ll return to our home the boutique Kempinski Hotel.

Day 6: Day in Alexandria and Evening in Old Cairo

After breakfast, we’ll set off together for a day trip to the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, where the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations collided in politics, art, architecture, and more. We’ll visit the mysterious underground catacombs and explore the ruins of the city’s Roman amphitheater. We’ll also visit Qait Bey Fortress, which now sits on the site of the old Lighthouse of Alexandria, another wonder of the ancient world, then stop by the modern Library of Alexandria, which sits on the site of the the city’s old library, one of the most famous in the history. After our return to Cairo, we’ll strike out for Old Cairo and the famous Khan el Khalili souq, or market, where you’ll be able to put your bargaining skills to the test while shopping for souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, and many other wares among the hundreds of small shops and merchants in the bustling market.

Day 7: Return to the USA (or Add-On Extensions)

On the trip’s final day, Middle Eastern Adventures staff will escort some group members to the airport for their scheduled departures back to the USA, while others may elect to stay over an additional day or two in Egypt or take advantage of options to add-on excursions to other cities or countries in the region. Popular add-ons include a few more days in Egypt to explore the desert or relax more on the beach; a short hop over to Jordan to visit Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea; a stay in Israel to check out its many fascinating sites; or a visit to the ultra-chic city of Dubai.

Star Clippers Operates Three of the World’s Largest and Tallest Sailing Vessels…

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Filipino Festival

Star Clippers operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels. Visiting ports often untouched by larger cruise ships and offering passengers the activities, amenities and atmosphere of a private yacht, Star Clippers is recognized as one of the premier specialty cruise lines. The ships currently sail throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, the Baltic and Costa Rica…

Hula Cam at Burning Man 2012…

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Filipino Festival

Published on Sep 13, 2012 by hulafantastica

Filmed and edited by Rob Volkel
Track: Porter Robinson – Language | http://bit.ly/HyVWx1
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/hulafantastica
Have a beautiful day

WHAT IS BURNING MAN?

Trying to explain what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the event is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind. In this section you will find the peripheral definitions of what the event is as a whole, but to truly understand this event, one must participate. This site serves to try to paint a picture of the Burning Man experience to those who are new to the project, as well as to give those participants looking to keep the fire burning in their daily lives an environment in which to connect to their fellow community members. For a brief yet eloquent overview of the entire event from the time of arrival to the time of exodus, please read “What is Burning Man?”, an essay written by participant and one-time web team member, Molly Steenson. Please see archived sections for each year to read more about the art themes, art installations and theme camps for each year.

Here you will find links that will take you on a trip through the past – through the history of Burning Man – from its early days on a small beach in San Francisco through its evolution into the bustling city of some 48,000+ people that the Burning Man event has become today. These people make the journey to the Black Rock Desert for one week out of the year to be part of an experimental community, which challenges its members to express themselves and rely on themselves to a degree that is not normally encountered in one’s day-to-day life. The result of this experiment is Black Rock City, home to the Burning Man event.

There are no rules about how one must behave or express oneself at this event (save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and experience of the community at large); rather, it is up to each participant to decide how they will contribute and what they will give to this community. The event takes place on an ancient lakebed, known as the playa. By the time the event is completed and the volunteers leave, sometimes nearly a month after the event has ended, there will be no trace of the city that was, for a short time, the most populous town in the entire county. Art is an unavoidable part of this experience, and in fact, is such a part of the experience that Larry Harvey, founder of the Burning Man project, gives a theme to each year, to encourage a common bond to help tie each individual’s contribution together in a meaningful way. Participants are encouraged to find a way to help make the theme come alive, whether it is through a large-scale art installation, a theme camp, gifts brought to be given to other individuals, costumes, or any other medium that one comes up with.

The Burning Man project has grown from a small group of people gathering spontaneously to a community of over 48,000 people. It is impossible to truly understand the event as it is now without understanding how it has evolved. See the first years page and Burning Man 1986 – 1996 for the legendary story of Burning Man’s beginnings and to understand how the event has come to become what it is today. The timeline gives a short overview of what each year looked like. Please also check out the detailed archives for years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Within each of these years are descriptions each year’s art theme, theme camps, large art installations, as well as maps, journals of our city being built, the newsletters to the community for each year, issues of the Black Rock Gazette (a daily news publication produced and printed on the playa), and clean up reports for each year, including a list of those sites that failed to “leave no trace”. These pages help understand the larger scope of the entire experience, from the planning that happens year-round to make each event possible, to the clean-up efforts which take place for sometimes months after the city has disappeared.

The impact of the Burning Man experience has been so profound that a culture has formed around it. This culture pushes the limits of Burning Man and has led to people banding together nation-wide, and putting on their own events, in attempt to rekindle that magic feeling that only being part of this community can provide. The Black Rock Arts Foundation promotes interactive art by supporting public art that exists outside the event, and has a special interest in supporting art at regional events. Additionally, Burning Man has over two thousand volunteers who work before, during and after the event (many who work year-round) to make the event a reality. To give of your time and talents, please see the Participate section of the website.

If this is your first visit to this site, a good starting point is the FAQ page, the glossary, and the timeline. From here you can stroll through the carefully archived sections for each year. Community, participation, self-expression, self-reliance; these tenets of Burning Man are lifeblood of the Burning Man experience. Whether you are new to this site or are returning for your umpteenth visit, you are encouraged to delve into these pages to expand your viewpoint and definition of these ideals, and to connect with yourself to find your niche in our community. The giving of yourself is the greatest gift you can give to the Burning Man community, and is imperative to the survival of this unique experiment.

The event begins on the last Monday in August, and ends on the first Monday in September…

Jamaica – The Resort at Wilks Bay – Secluded Bay Escape…

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Filipino Festival

The Resort at Wilks Bay

www.wilksbay.com

Why You’ll Love It

Private white-sand beach
Staff consults with you to personalize your vacation
Far from tourist traps

When you ask people about Jamaica, few mention Port Antonio. And that’s the way The Resort at Wilks Bay likes it. Thanks to this hidden getaway, you get to explore Jamaica’s waterfalls, beaches, and local color with a privacy unmatched anywhere else on the island.

As if that weren’t enough of a draw, each residence comes with a personal cook. They do the shopping and cooking; all you have to do is decide where to dine. How about breakfast on your private patio, lunch under the swaying palms, and dinner on the beach at sunset? Decisions, decisions.

– Laura, Bloomspot Staff Writer

Wilks Bay
San San, Port Antonio, Jamaica
(876) 416-0959
www.wilksbay.com

Valid for stays from September 19–December 15, 2012.
Not available for stays from November 22–25.
May purchase multiples to redeem consecutive stays.
Cost of groceries not included.
Must redeem in one visit; no cash or credit back.
Taxes included; gratuity not included.
Cannot be used with other offers or existing reservations.
Refunds allowed until 11:59PM PDT on September 23, 2012. All sales are final after this date.

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Multiple Locations – Offshore Sailing School – Set Sail…

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Filipino Festival

Offshore Sailing School

www.offshoresailing.com

Why You’ll Love It

Family owned and operated
Individual instruction in a class size of four
6 hours of classroom prep and 18 hours of sailing

A love of adventure on the high seas led founder Steve Colgate to create Offshore Sailing School in 1964. He and his wife Doris use their experience as active members of US SAILING and other prestigious organizations to grant you sea legs in no time.

Learn to sail at the helm of a Colgate 26, the boat designed by Steve Colgate specifically for teaching. The US Coast Guard Academy and US Naval Academy use the same boat for their own training, so you’ll be in good company.

See sailing course schedule.

– Hannah, Bloomspot Staff Writer

Valid at the following locations:

Liberty Landing Marina
Liberty State Park
80 Audry Zapp Dr
Jersey City, NJ 07305

Chelsea Piers
23rd St & the Hudson River
New York, NY 10011

Liberty Landing NYC
Hudson River Park‘s Trust Pier 25
New York, NY 10013

(888) 454-7015
www.offshoresailing.com

Expires October 31, 2012.
Limit one offer total per person. May purchase multiples as gifts.
Must redeem in one full 3-day course; no cash or credit back.
Valid for Chelsea Piers, Liberty Landing Marina, and Pier 25 locations only.
Cannot be used with other offers.
Refunds allowed up to 24 hours after close of Bloomspot sale.

Las Vegas, NV – MANDALAY BAY – Sexy Stays in the Heart of the City…

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Filipino Festival

MANDALAY BAY
www.mandalaybay.com

Why You’ll Love It
Decadent penthouse suites
11-acre beach with sand, a wave pool, and the famous lazy river
Restaurants from Michael Mina, Hubert Keller, and Wolfgang Puck
It’s common knowledge that you’ll find some of the best nightlife, suites, and food in Las Vegas. But when it comes to finding them all in one place, there’s only one name in Sin City that matters: Mandalay Bay.

If you think there are no beaches in Nevada, think again. Mandalay Bay Beach’s world-famous aquatic playground features 2,700 tons of real sand, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Sip a cocktail and work on your tan—or try your luck at the beachside casino.

Your stay wouldn’t be complete without an indulgent meal at one of Mandalay Bay’s upscale eateries, including Hubert Keller’s Fleur and STRIPSTEAK by Michael Mina. Afterward, a massage at Spa Mandalay prepares you for a night of dancing and drinks at Mix Lounge or House of Blues.

– Christy, Bloomspot Staff Writer

The Strip
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(877) 632-7800
www.mandalaybay.com

FEATURED AMENITIES
DELUXE TWO-QUEEN
550 square feet with two queen beds, extended living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, his and hers lighted closets, 42-inch high-definition plasma TV, wireless internet, and mini-bar

DELUXE KING
550 square feet with king bed, extended living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, his and hers lighted closets, 42-inch high-definition plasma TV, wireless internet, and mini-bar

SPA SUITE
610 square feet with king bed, extended living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, his and hers lighted closets, 42-inch high-definition plasma TV, wireless internet, mini-bar, and spa tub

GREAT ROOM SUITE
765 square feet with king bed, extended living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, his and hers lighted closets, 42-inch high-definition plasma TV, wireless internet, mini-bar, playpen couch and spa tub

SKY VIEW SUITE
1,050 square feet with king bed on penthouse levels 60 to 62, adjoining living room, one and-a-half baths, powder room, spa tub, enclosed water closet, game table, 42-inch high-definition plasma TVs in master and living room, wet bar with 32-inch plasma TV, wireless internet, and mini-bar

See full amenities

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
3.5 stars and 913 reviews on Yelp
“I have stayed here three times, soon to be four, and will never stay anywhere else in Vegas. It is high-class all the way … The restaurants are excellent, as is the room service … it never disappoints. I recommend it wholeheartedly.”
Yelp Reviewer Justyce L., Las Vegas, NV, 6/9/12
Read more on Yelp
“Oh how I love you, Mandalay Bay. You are my favorite hotel in Vegas … the food is top-notch and the service is excellent … The casino hostesses are very sweet and cater to any need you could have …”
Yelp Reviewer Ryan D., Los Angeles, CA, 5/18/12
Read more on Yelp
“The best hotel experience I have had to date. So much to do, see, and buy. The tub is fabulous and so is the bedding. I’ve stayed at lots of resort hotels, but this one was the best!”
Yelp Reviewer Mary C., Forest Heights, MD, 5/17/12
Read more on Yelp
“This is my absolute favorite place to stay in Las Vegas … The grounds are beautiful and, of course, the pools are la creme de la creme …”
Yelp Reviewer Patricia A., San Diego, CA, 10/25/11
Read more on Yelp

Valid for selected date only; 2-night minimum stay required.
Includes 50% off one additional spa treatment after purchase of one at full price; treatments must be redeemed by same person.
Includes one complimentary breakfast entrée with purchase of one breakfast entrée and two beverages; limit one breakfast discount per party; not valid in conjunction with other offers; management reserves all rights; excludes alcohol, tax, and gratuity.
Minimum check-in age is 21.
12% hotel tax and $28 nightly resort fee will be added upon Bloomspot purchase.
No cash or credit back.
Cannot be used with other offers or existing reservations.
Refunds allowed until 11:59PM PDT on August 25, 2012. All sales are final after this date.